Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett Is the Problem

The Dallas Cowboys bolster a lot of talent on the offensive side of the football. This may be the only team in the NFL that has three quality running backs to go along with a strong group of wide receivers, and last but not least a Pro Bowl tight end. The Dallas Cowboys have no identity on the offensive side of the ball.

Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett was brought in after Sean Payton left for New Orleans. Since then Garrett has failed to reach the lofty expectations.

This season Garrett's play-calling has been average at best. Instead of devising a game plan to counter the opposing defensive schemes, Garrett spends his Sundays as if he is calling plays on Madden 11.

Sunday against the Vikings, the Dallas Cowboys ran multiple screen plays to Felix Jones that were eventually sniffed out by the Vikings D. The Minnesota Vikings is a team that does not play aggressive with their linebackers.

They tend to rely on aggressive play from their defensive line so that the linebackers can focus on coverage and stopping the run when needed. The Dallas Cowboys are a great draw team, but Garrett did not dial up multiple draws to slow down the Vikings D-Line.

Garrett seems as if he is playing fantasy football rather than coaching real football. Jason Witten is never used in the red zone, which makes no sense at all.

Tashard Choice has been exiled out of the running back rotation, and Miles Austin is not given enough routes that help him utilize his running-after-the-catch abilities. The Cowboys have a strong defense, but when the defense is on the field more than they should be they cannot play at a high level.

The Cowboys are 1-4, and they need to establish an identity on the offensive side of the ball. We all know that Tony Romo has turnover issues, so it would not be wise to let him chuck it down the field 30 times a game.

The Cowboys can utilize their running backs and implement a short passing game to play controlled football. With the short passing game that will allow Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Roy Williams to utilize their run-after-the-catch abilities.

With a weak left tackle it is risky to let Romo stand in the pocket while waiting for someone to streak 50 yards down the field.

Memo to Jason Garrett: Using Jason Witten in the red zone will make things a lot easier for your erratic quarterback. During the past two seasons Witten has three touchdowns. That touchdown number is only one more than linebacker Mike Vrabel, who plays for Kansas City Chiefs.

If Jason Garrett is the head coach that is supposed to replace Wade Phillips, I can sense the Cowboys having issues for a long time. The season is still young, but something has to change on the offensive side of the ball.